Research on the influencing factors and enhancement strategies of public health awareness among college students in the post epidemic era

Article type
Authors
Huang J1, Li X1, Wang Y1, Zhang Y1, Li F1, Yang K2, Li X1
1Centre for Evidence-Based Social Science/Center for Health Technology Assessment, School of Public Health, Lanzhou University, Lanzhou, China; Centre for Evidence-Based Medicine, School of Basic Medical Science,Lanzhou University, Lanzhou, China
2Centre for Evidence-Based Medicine, School of Basic Medical Science,Lanzhou University, Lanzhou, China
Abstract
Background: To some extent, the epidemic has awakened the public health awareness of college students, but the public health awareness level of college students is uneven.
Objectives: To explore the current situation of public health awareness level of college students and its influencing factors, and put forward targeted and feasible opinions according to the survey results.
Methods: From June to August 2022, the questionnaires were distributed and collected in the three universities through a combination of online and offline methods.The level of public health awareness was assigned with a total score of 45 and 34 points as the dividing line to convert the data into dichotomous data. Statistical analysis was performed using SPSS26.0 software. The test level was α = 0.05, and p < 0.05 was statistically significant.
Results: A total of 899 valid questionnaires were collected. In every grade, more than 40% of students had 34 points or above of public health awareness; except for social sciences, literature, history and philosophy majors, students with 34 points or above of public health awareness in other majors accounted for more than 50%. 94.88% students held that it was necessary for universities to carry out public health-related knowledge training.
Conclusions: School, gender and grade can influence public health awareness among college students, while specialty classification has no significant effect. In the post-epidemic era, college students are lack of public health knowledge and skills, and the university curriculum system needs to be improved.